2 Quick and Easy to Create Background Techniques

Hey there, crafters! Today, I am sharing 2 quick and easy background techniques. Sometimes, we are all just pushed for time and need a tried and tested technique that we can do in a flash. That's where today's techniques come in.

In my first example, I use a heat embossed watercolor resist technique. Working on a sheet of A2 watercolor paper, I heat embossed the Whimsical Herringbone Stamp Set with Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder. To add color, I used three waterbrush markers from the Ultimate Watercolor Brush Marker Bundle. I chose Ruby Red, Autumn Blaze, and Warm Sunshine.

I find that spritzing the background panel and dropping color in and allowing it to move freely creates a great effect with minimal effort. You can use a heat tool to dry the panel or leave it to dry naturally.

I added die-cut leaves using the Just Leaves Die Set; I cut from white card as I think it allows the background to breath and doesn't distract or confuse the eye. The sentiment is from the Sentiments Strips Stamp Set – I stamped it using Obsidian Pigment Ink.

This next technique is even quicker. I started by ink blending shades of orange ink using the Warm and Cozy Crisp Dye Inks onto some Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock. I then placed the Trellis Stencil over the background panel and secured with some low tack tape from behind. Using a damp baby wipe, I then rubbed over the surface; as the damp towel touched the inked areas, it lifted some of the ink, giving a faux bleached effect. The bonus with using a cardstock that isn't made for watercolor is that the dampness lifts the surface slightly and gives it an almost embossed look.

I added a die-cut using the Rose Filament Die Set. Again, I chose to use white card. I added a sentiment from the Sentiment Strips 2 Stamp Set stamped using Obsidian Pigment Ink. To complete the card, I scattered a few enamel dots from the Essential Black and White Enamel Dots Set.